November 7, 2018

How to handle Jim Acosta

CNN's Jim Acosta wants to own presidential press conferences. Here today after the election, he's clearly rude, hostile and highly opinionated, not journalistic. And even a little violent towards the woman who tries to pass the microphone to the next questioner.

How does "hundreds of miles away" equate to "that's not an invasion"? There's no therefore that can make that true. That's not my main point.

If president Trump wants to stop Acosta from being an ass, there's an easy way to do it. Of course the President doesn't really need stop Acosta, because he makes the perfect buffoon of a foil for the president. Here's how you do it.

The president should at his next news conference go to Jim Acosta first. Then when Acosta tries to ask more than one question, the president should clear the room and dedicate the press conference to just Acosta. And if he tries it again, do it again. And again. Do it as often as necessary to make the rest of the media resent Acosta, and by proxy CNN.

Tell the room that Acosta wants to monopolize the briefing and conference and that he's being accommodated. Turn the media on itself, then stand back and watch the knives come out for each other. Get popcorn, be seated and enjoy.